Faculty to Enhance Expertise in Creating Accessible, Student-Friendly Courses at Spring Workshops

The University of Arkansas instructional design and support services at the Global Campus with the Center for Educational Access invite faculty to workshops in March and June that explore how to provide accommodations that make courses accessible to students with disabilities. Accessibility training relates to all educational delivery modes, including face-to-face and online.

“Enhancing and expanding support for faculty regarding the use technology in all modalities of instruction is one of the Top 5 Goals for distance education at the University of Arkansas,” said Javier Reyes, vice provost for distance education.

The accessibility workshop provides a universal design focus that applies to learners in all types of delivery environments, including face-to-face, online and self-paced.

“Universal design is an overall concept that promotes simple and intuitive learning tools that make course content more usable for all learners,” said Miran Kang, director of instructional design and support services. “We want the students to focus on the course content and not be burdened with complex, unfriendly delivery methods.”

The accessibility workshops will focus on faculty and student rights and responsibilities, university policy and legislative mandates, types of accommodations, and the UA accommodation process. Participants will complete activities to practice the basics of creating accessible content.

The workshops will be in Room 302 of the Global Campus, 2 E. Center St., on the downtown Fayetteville square. The sessions are set for:

• 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 11
• 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 12
• 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, June 10 
• 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday June 11

Seating is limited to 10 people per workshop. Participants should register by using the training calendar on the university’s human resource website or by sending an email to online@uark.edu.

About 1,625 University of Arkansas graduate and undergraduate students are registered with the Center for Educational Access, and they are majoring in subjects from every college and school, according to the 2012-13 student affairs annual report.

“The chances are likely that you have, or will soon have, a student who requires academic accommodations,” Kang said. “As a faculty member, it is important to have a working understanding of relevant legislation and know how to facilitate accommodations in order to make course content accessible.”

The workshops will provide faculty with strategies to make courses and classroom activities accessible, and will explain the role of the Center for Educational Access in supporting academic efforts.

Employing accessibility strategies will reduce barriers experienced by students with disabilities, will provide a level playing field that provide the same learning opportunities for all students, and will promote full inclusion of all students.